The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-02-19
CHARMING COMO.
The Characteristics and Surroundings OF
ItaIy's Most Beautiful Lake.

villas on Lake Como are owned by En-
glish people, who come down through
Switzerland and France between the
1st and 18th of August, and remain
until the end of October, usually. The
most magnificent, though by no means
the most charming villa on the lake is
the property of the Viscountess Mudro-
da, and was formerly the summer home
of the Countess Raimondi, the daugh-
ter of Garibaldi. 1t is a large white
marble building, with three great doors
in front, over which hang heavy can
vas curtains at present, and before
which the family congregate about five
o'clock in the afternoon to take some
light refreshments and chat until din
ner time. The grounds are extremely
beautiful, being wild and woody in
parts, with quaint grottos and curious
fountains here and there, and the lawns
dotted with immense magnolia and
lemon trees. A great gilt crown sur
mounts the center pinnacle, and on the
iron gate is written the word "rOr-
man." the name of the place. The
lodges, one at each end Of the grounds,
are also of white marble. The Wis
countess cntertains great deal, giving
many dinners, lawn parties, fancy balls,
etc. just above, on the mountain side,
is the lovely country palace of Monsieur
and Nine. Capada, who were both
famous singers here in Italy, some ten
years ago.
Further up on the lake are the old
villas of Taglion and Vasta, where
these celebrities once lived. A little
farther on is beautiful island, former
ly fortified, which played an important
part in the military annals of the Mid
die Ages. Charming ruins and a few
modern houses cover a portion of it
now, but the old guide still shows you
shadowy looking caves that the spirits
of the thousand witches burned in Co
mo in 1924 are said to haunt contin-
ually, and on the highest promontory
of the little isle stands a rickety bell
tower among the azalia and camelia
/ bushes, and there, every May day, goes
young peasant lad of the vicinity to
ring the bell and call all the young men
and maidens within hearing together,
that from among them he may choose
the maid he loves best to be his bride.
The custom is very old and very regu-
larry observed in the lake districts, and
no spot could be more fitting assuredly
than that on the beautiful Island of
Comacino. AT the upper end of the
lake are the two beautiful resorts Of
BelIagio and Cadenabbie. Charming
balconies from hotels, restaurants and
villas hang over the waters edge, and
the view in every direction is enchant-
ing. AT Bellagia the tourist may pur-
chase the silk blankets and scarfs
of rich Roman colors. or the
lace that the little girls make,
sitting in front of the houses on the
narrow streets; also the ting wooden
shoes of the Italian peasant girls. At
Cadenabbie is the famous Villa Gotta,
F. the property Of the Duchess of Sake
meiningen. The terraced gardens are
beautiful beyond description, and the
tiny landing place Steps and break
water all of white marble) is one of the
prettiest on the lake. In the great hall
/ of the house is Thorwaldsen' frieze,
representing Alexander's triumph.
Several works of Canova are there also.
First, and always first for beauty and
grace among the great works of the
sculptor is his Cupid and Psyche"
The combined power and airy lightness
of design seem almost to endow the
marble with life, and one half expects
20 see the two exquisite figures move
and fly away, or step from their cold,
black pedestal into the light and sun
shine to rest with the butterflies among
the flowers There are but two or three
places of any historic interest on Lake
/ Como, and OF these the town of Como
itself is the chief.
On the top of hill, which forms the
background Of the town, stands most
picturesque Uncovered old tower. Not
window, crack or crevice breaks the
| stretch of stone from top to bottom and
| It's curious CONSTRUCTION 2lIlOSL tellS us
| cruel history.
Sometime in the fifteenth century
Duke of Como loved beautiful Vero-
ncse lady, who, however, preferred
Young lord of her native city. The
| Duke, Infatuated at the rejection of his
suit, vowed vengeance upon the lucklcss
lover, and added the tower mentioned
above to his splendid castle. Then he
waited, like all evil spirits in legends,
until just before the marriage of the
! happy pair, when he took the young
man prisoner one night, and bearing
him to his own domain, lowered him
with ropes into the dark round tower.
There he left him, and the third night
after, so the story goes, the peasants
in the neighborhood saw a white dove
| ly from the tower and bear straight to
heaven human heart; and to this day
ne old Castle Baradelia (such it is
called) is the favorite haunt of doves.
and no good peasant ever kills one with
out breathing an Ave Maria or de-
| voutly crossing himself At the north